Acetylene-gas generator



.Apfiil 20 1926. 1,582,009 H. H. HAND ET AL ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR Filed June 6, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 2f Z9yzi 1/ 1/ z 7 IN VEN TORJT ATTORNEY.

April 20 1926.

.INVENTOR J and ward/Xi A TTORNE Y.

April 20 1926.

. 1,582,009 H. H. HAND El AL v ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR Filed June 6, 1 s Sheets-Sheet 5 a: INVENTORS.

A TTORNE Y.

breaking through -.the caked or the possibility of Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics.

IHCWABD H. HAND AND JOSIAH L. RIDDLE, OF MERKEL, TEXAS; SAID RIDDLE AS- SIGNOR OF ONE YER ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

CENT OF HIS SHARE TO SAIDI'IAND.

Application filed June 6, 1925. Serial No. 35,247.

To ccZZWr/wm ll'libj/ Concern:

Be it known that we, Hownizn H. lilAND iaylor and State of Texas, certain new and useful lmpr veinents the United county of have invented Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specification.

generator, and has has for its obj nis ii vention relates to an acetylene-gas ectto pro vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

referred generator of the class caking an iiieaiis to prevent the to having d st ach ng up of the calcium carbide or the residuum or sludge derived generating chamber in pressure, which s caused by sludge, thereby reducing explosion to a minimum.

therefrom within the to prevent a sudden rise, the water stacked A further ob ect of the invention is to provide, forth, generator of with means whereby generation in a manner as heri the class referred to,

n after setof the gas is had at a predetermined uniform. pressure.

A further object .of the invention is to provide, in a manner as herei nafter set forth, a generator of the class referred to, having a i'evolvable perforated mixing blade operating on and throughout the the generating chamber as the bottom of carbide is supplied thereto, and with said blade further operative in a like manner to facilitate drainage of the generating chamber when the carbide feed is shut off.

A further objectiof provide, in a manner as forth, a generator of the class r the invention hereinafter setv is to eferred to,

including a safety or pop-off valve device for the generating device having means ing and to prevent the corroding ing of the valvular element of chamber and with said to provide for the h'oldand SilCl-.

the device when said element is shifted from and returned to its seat;

A further ob ect of the provide,

forth, a generator of the class 1" invention is to in a manner as hereinafter set eferred to,

including a'carbide supply and means whereby the carbide raking action synchronously with tion of the mixing blade on t is fed to the water by a the operahe. bottom of the generating chamber during the gas generating step.

A further object provide, in a manner as hereinafter set.

forth, a generator of the class referred to, including a carbide supply and further with manually operated means for shutting off the supply to the generating chamber when occasion requires.

A further OlJJGCll' of the invention is to provide, in a forth, a generator provi dcd with manner as hereinafter set of the class referred to, a storage or flash tank for the generated gas aiidnitli the tank pro vided with means for washing the gas as the latter is supplied thereto from thegencrating chamber of the gas from the tank, and further with means communicating with the tank for controlling the generation of the gas at a manner as hereinafter set forth, which is simple in its construction and arrangement,

strong, and convenient durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily assembled,

and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view,

the inventionconsists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompany ing drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which. come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the draw characters throughout the Figure 1 is a acetylene gas g this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line ure 1.

are 1.

denote corresponding ings wherein like reference parts several views vertical sectional view of an enerator, in accordance with 2 2, Fig' Figure 4; is a fragn'ientary view illustrating the gear d Figure 518 a 'ive for the mixing blade.

fragmentary viewin vertical of the invention is toand prior to the discharge threads.

section, illustrating the storage or flash tank and the controlling switch for the electric motor drive.

An acetylene gas generator, in accordance with this invention, eon'rprises a receptacle in the form of a tank, formed of a cylindrical body portion 1 of substantial diameter having the lower end thereof formed with a laterally extending annular flange or foot piece 2. The body portion 1 is formed, intermediate its ends, with an opening 3,

an opening 4 positioned above the opening 3, an opening 5 below the opening 4, an opening 6 above the opening 4, an open ing 7 above the opening 6, and a pair of openings 8, 9 below the opening 5.

' Secured within the body portion 1, a substantial'distance above the lower end thereof, is a dome-shaped bottom 10, formed with a depending annular flangell, which is secured to the inner face of the body portion 1. The bottom 10 is positioned below but in close proximity to the opening 5 and further position-ed above the opening 8, 9, and said bottom 10 in connection with the lower portion of the body portion 1 provides a generator 12 for a purpose to be presently referred to.

Fixedly secured to the inner face of the body portion 1, at the top thereof, is a narrow annular collar 13, provided at its top with a laterally extending annular flange 14, which seats on the top edge of the body portion 1. I

Positioned on the flange 14 and of the same width as the width of said flange, is a flat annular gasket 15. Mounted-on the gasket 15 is a closure plate referred to generally by the reference character 16, formed with a flat perimeter 17, a flat central portion 18 and an inclined intermediate portion 19 which extends upwardly from the perimeter 17 to the central portion 18. The intcri'nediate portion 19 is formed with an opening 20, in which is positioned a short filling tube 21 provided with peripheral The tube 21 is secured to the plate 16. as at 23, and mounted on the upper end of the tube 21 is av packing disk 24. The tube 21 is closed through the medium of an interiorly threaded flanged cap 25, which bears against the disk 24. The plate 16 is detachably secured to the flange 14 and gasket 15 by a series of beaded bolts 26, which extend upwardly through said flange 14, gasket 15 and the perimeter 17 of the plate 16 and carry on their upper ends sccuring nuts 27. The heads of the bolts-26 abut against the lower face of the flange 14. Positioned against the lower face of the flattened central portion 18 of the plate 16, as well as depending a substantial distance therefrom, is a tubular bearing element 28, provided at its top with a laterally extending annular flange 29, which is fixedly secured to the flattened portion 18 by a series of hold-fast devices 30.

The body portion 1, in connection'with the bottom 10 and closure plate 16, provides a generating chamber 31, in which is arranged a body of water 32, supplied through an elbow-shaped inlet tube 33, which extends into the opening 3 and is secured to the body portion 1, as at 34. The tube 33 provided with interior threads with which engages a removable closure plug 3 for the tube Arranged within the chamber 12 and secured against'the inner face of the body portion' 1, by the hold-fast devices 37, is a platform 38 upon which is mounted an electric motor 39, having its shaft 40 extended therefrom and universally connected, as at 41, to a shaft 42, see Figure 4, provided with a worm 43. Secured to the platform 38 is a vertically disposed yoke-shaped support 44 which projects from one side of and overlaps the platform 38 and is formed with a bearing for the shaft 42. The worm 43 is arranged within the bearing 45 for the shaft 42 a-n'dengages with a worm gear 46, carried by a vertically disposed shaft 47, having fixed thereto a pinion 48 which meshes with a large gear wheel 49. The shaft 47, at its upper end, is journaled in the top of the support 44 and at its low-er end in a bearing 50 mounted on the platform 38. One of the circuit wire connections for the motor 39 is indicated at 51 and extends through the opening 8. The other circuit wire connection for the motor 39 is indicated at 52 and extends through the opening 9. The ratio of the gear 49 with respect to the pinion 48 is twelve to one, and the ratio of the gear 46 with respect to the worm 43 ninety-six to one, although these ratios can be changed if desired.

The motor, in connection with the worm 43, worm gear 46, pinion 47 and wheel 49, n'ovidcsan operating mechanism for revolving the mixing blade, to be presently referred to, and it has been found that the ratios referred to operate the blade at the preferable speed, but as before stated, the ratios referred to can be changed if desired.

Journalled at its upper end in the bearing element 28 is an operating shaft 53 for a mixing blade 54, the latter operates on the upper face of the bottom 10 and is of be same length as the length of the inner diameter of the body portion 1. The shaft 523 extends entirely through the generating chamber 31 and also through an opening 55 formed centrally of the bottom 10. The shaft 53 is of a length to extend through and depend from the inner end of the platform 38. Carried on the lower end of the shaft 53 is a stop collar 56 provided with a set screw 57. The shaft 53 has mounted thereon the gear wheel 49, the latter being formed with a hub 58 provided with a set screw 59. The hub 58 seats 011 the upper face of the platform 38 and the collar 56 abuts against the lower face of said platform. Secured against the lower face of the bottom 10, as well as depending therefrom, is a bearingmembcr 60, through which extends the shaft 53. The member 60 carries a packing 61, which surrounds the shaft 53, and said packing is secured in position by a cap 62 having threaded engagement with the member 60 and through which extends the shaft 58.

The lower face of the blade 54 conforms in contour to the shape of the upper face of the bottom 10, and the blade 54, centrally thereof, is formed ith a sleeve 63 through which extends the shaft-'53, and said sleeve 63 is provided with a set screw 6 1 for fixedly securing itto the shaft 53. The blade 54: is of substantial thickness and height but the height of the blade is less than the height of the sleeve 63. Each end of the blade 54: is curved to provide a point 65 which travels at the point of joinder between the bottom 10 and the inner face of the body portion 1. The blade 54 is perforated throughout from the sleeve 63 to each end and the perforations in the blade are indicated by the reference character 66. hen the blade is operated it prevents the carbide or the residuum or sludge derived therefrom from caking or stacking on the upper face of the bottom 10, and as the blade is perforated the water and suspended fine particles of carbide or residuum can pass through the blade during the revolving thereof, and its operation will be freer than would be the case if the blade were not perforated.

The shaft 58, between its transverse center and its upper end, carries a collar 67 provided with a set screw 68, and directly below the collar 67 the shaft 53 has secured thereto a diametrically extending pin 68 which has each end project a substantial distance from the shaft 58.

Secured to the inner face of the plate 16 is an inverted frusto-conoidal shaped receptacle 69 providing a carbide chamber 7 0 and with which communicates the tube-21 so that calcium carbide can be supplied to the chamber 20 when occasion requires. tacle 69 surrounds the upper portion of the shaft 53, and connected to the outer periphcry of the receptacle 69, at the lower portion thereof, as wellas depending therefrom, is an annular collar 71, having fixed to the outer side thereof, at its lower .end, by the hold-fast devices 72, a resilient annulus 7 3, which depends from the bottom edge of the Celia-r71. The annulus 73 is positioned a.

substantial distance above the collar 67 and opposing the annulus 73, as well as being normally spaced therefrom, 1s a vertically the collar 67.

The recepmovable disk 7 a supported. by the collar 67 and provided with a depending lug '75 normally positioned in the path of the pin 68, whereby on the operation of the shaft 53 the disk H'will be carried therewith. The disk 74 is normally maintained against the collar 67 by a coiled spring 76, which is 11'1()l11iile( on the shaft '53 and interposed between a vertically shift-able rake arm 77 and a cap member 78 mounted on the shaft 53 and abutting against a pin 79, which is secured to and extends diametrically of the shaft 53.

Arranged within the cap member 78 are bearing balls 80. The normal action of the spring 76 is to maintain the disk 7% against the collar 67.

The rake arm 77 is loosely connected at one end to the shaft 53 and mounted on the upper face of the disk 74L The rake arm 77 is of a length to project beyond the disk 74; and into a vertically disposed yoke-shaped retaining member 81. The latter is formed at its upper end with a right angular extension 82, which is secured, as at 83, to

The disk 7 4: and arm 77 are adapted to be shifted upwardly for the purpose of closing the feed of carbide from the chamber 70, and when shifted upwardly the disk 74 abuts against the lower edge of the annulus 73, and the rake arm is moved into a cut-out portion 84: formed in the annulus 83, and by theproviding of said cut-out portion 84; the disk 7 4- can engage the lower edge of the annulus 73 throughout. See Figure 3.

hen the disk 7 4t and arm77 are moved upwardly against the action of the spring 76, the arm 77 movcs upwardly in the retaining member'81. The disk 74 is moved upwardly against the action of the spring 7 6 through the medium of a pair of spaced cam members 85, 86, connected to a manually operated shaft 87, extending diametrically of the body portion 1. The cam members carry set screws 88 for securing them to the shaft 87. The inner end of the shaft 87 is journalled in a bearing element 89 secured by the holdfast devices 90 against the inner face of the body portion 1, and said bearing element 89 diametrically opposes the opening 1 u 6 formed in the body portion 1. Mounted against the outer face of the body portion 1 and extending through the opening 6 is a bearing element 91 through which extends outwardly the shaft 87. The bearing ele ment 91 has arranged therein a packing 92, secured in position by a cap 93. The bearing element 91 is secured to the body portion 1 in any suitable manner. The shaft 87 projects outwardly from the cap 93 and carries a crank or handle 94. The shaft 87 is provided with a stop collar 95 which abuts against the inner end of the bearing 91. When the shaft 87 is operated to move the cam members 85 and 86 to engagement with the lower face of the disk 7 1, to shift the latter and the arm 77 upwardly, against the action of the spring 76, it can be retained from movement after the disk 74 engages the annulus 73, through the medium of a latching device 96, which is carried by the body portion 1, and can be moved to engage the handle 9% whereby the shaft 87 is detachably secured in shifted position, and under such conditions the disk 74: will cut off the carbide feed until the shaft 87 is released.

The carbide is fed from the chamber 70 onto the disk 7%, and during the revolving of the shaft 53 the disk 74 is carried therewith, due to the engagement of the pin 68 with the lug 75, and as the disk revolves the arm 77 will'rake the carbide there-off into the body of water 32, and as the carbide settles at the lower end of the generating chamber, the blade 51 will set up a mixing action between the carbide and the water and will furthermore act to prevent the caking or stacking of the carbide or the sludge on the upper face of the bottom 10, under snchconditions reducing the possibility of explosion to a minimum, as it will'prevent' asudden increase in pressure.

The gas generated with the chamber 11 is conducted through the medium of a carry off pipe 97 to the storage or flash tank 98. The pipe 97 is arranged exteriorly of the body portion 1 and has its" upper end connected in the openings whereby the pipe 97 will communicate with the chamber 31 above the level of the body of water 32. The pipe 97, in proximity to its upper end, is provided with a cut-off valve99, and said pipe 97 has its lower end opening centrally into the tank 98 at the bottom thereof. The lower portion of the pipe 97 has interposed therein a check valve 100 to prevent the back flow of gas from the tank 98.

The tank 98 comprises a cylindrical body portion 101 of substantial height and diameter and which is provided with means, as at 102 such as suspension brackets, for securing the same to the body portion 1. Secured in the lower end of the body portion 101, is a flanged bottom 103 having a cent ally disposed opening 101, through which extends the lower end 105 of the pipe 97. The lower end 105 of the pipe 97 threadedly engages with the bottom 103 and extends a substantial distance thercabovc, The bottom 103 is formed with a drainage opening 100 normally closed by a removable plug 107 which threadedly engages with the wall of the opening 106. The body portion 1 isprovided near its top with an opening 108 and intermediate its endswith an open ing 109. lhreadedly engaging with the wall of the opening 109 is an angle-shaped water inlet tube 110, normally closed by a plug 111 which threa'dedly engages therewith.

Secured within the upper end of the body portion 101, is a flanged top plate 112 constitutinga closure therefor and which is provided centrally with an opening 113. The body portion 101 in connection with the bottom 103 and top plate 112 provides a gas washing chamber 114 and a gas collecting or storage chamber 115, and with the former arranged below the latter. The chamber 114: has arranged therein aserieso't superposed, spaced, curved foraminous members 117 constituting strainers, and arranged within the chamber 114 above the upper strainer 117 is a flat foraminous element 118 which also constitutes a strainer. The element 118 is positioned a substantial distance below the water inlet tube 110. Secured in the opening 108 is a laterally extending dis charge pipe 119 providedwith acut-ofl' 120. The arrangement of thestrainers within the chamber 114 assists inwashing the gas as it passes up through the water 116 into the chamber 115, and the strainers act to break the gas up into minute portions asit travels through the water, under such conditions thoroughly washingthe gas before it enters the chamber 115.

Communicating with the chamber 115 is a combined gage and controlling switch mechanism and which comprises a vertically disposed pipe 121 which threadedly engages with the wall'of the opening. 113 and-opens into the chamber 115. Connected to the up per end of the pipe 121 is a pair of oppositely extending branches 122, 123, the former opensinto a gage 12l,and the latter into the housing 125- of the controlling switch.

The controlling switch consists of a bottom plate 126 having mounted thereon a diaphragm' 127 preferably of rubber. The branch 123 is connected to the bottom plate 126 and opens against the diaphragm 127. The housing 125 is open at its'bottom and is seated on the diaphragm 127. The lower end of the housing 125 is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 128. The plate 126', diaphragm andflange 128 are secured together by holdfast devices 129. The upper end of the housing 125 is closed, and extending through said closed upper end, as well as threadcdly engaging therewith, is an adjusting screw 130.

Pivotally mounted within the housing 125 is a circuit opening and closing element consisting of a rectangular plate 131 of hard rubber, connected at one end to a pivot 132, which is mounted in the body of the housing 125 and formed in its lower face with a seat 133. Carried by the plate 131, as well as depending therefrom is a binding post 131 to which is connecteda conducting plate 135 i 135 and 138 will engage,

positioned against the lower face ofthe plate 131 Connected to thebinding post 134 is a circuit wire connection 136 which leads from a suitable source of electrical energy. Connected to the body of the housing 125, insulated therefrom and extending therein, is a binding post 137 carrying an angleshaped conducting plate 138 which opposes the plate 135. Attached to the binding post 137 is the circuit conductor 51. The circuit conductor 52 leads to the source of electrical energy. The plate 135 is formed with a contactjpoint adapted to engagea contact point carried by the plate 138, as clearly shown in Figure 5, and when said cont-act points are in engagement, the motor circuit is closed.

Arranged within the housing 125 is a pres sure operated piston head 139'provided with a stem 140 which engages in the seat 133. The circuit opening and closing element is normally maintained against the rod 140 so that the contacts of the plates 135 and 138 will be in engagement to close the circuit through the medium of a pressure controlling spring 141 arranged between a pair of cup-shaped members 142, 143. The screw 130 bears :against'the member 142 for adj usting the tension of the spring 141. The piston 139 is normally maintained against the diaphragm 127 by thepressure of the spring bearing on the circuit opening andclosing elementwhich acts onthe piston rod 140 to maintain the piston against the diaphragm. When the pressure of the gas within the chamber 115 exceeds a. predetermined point, it will act on the diaphragm 127, shift the same upwardly in a manner to move the piston 139 in an upward direction whereby the late 131 will be caused to swlng upwardly on its pivot and separate the contact points formed on the plates 135 and 138, thereby opening the motor circuit, and the latter will be retained in an open condition as long as the pressure is such as to maintain the diaphragm in a position to hold the 1313-. ton 139 in an elevated position action of the spring 141. When the pressure'is reduced, the action of the spring 141 will shift the plate 131 downwardly on its pivot so that the contact points of the plates thereby closingthe motor circuit. hen the plate 131 is moved downwardly the piston-139 is shifted to the position shown in Figure 5.

The body portion 1 of he receptacle or tank which forms a generating chamber is provided with an outwardly extending collar'144, which registers with and forms a continuation of the wall of the opening 7. Thecollar 144 provides a valve seat for the valvular element of a safety or pop-off valve device, and the said device comprises a housing145, which is secured to the body portion 1, surrounds the collar 144 and projects laterally from said body portion 1. The

against the.

valvular elementof said device comprises a pair of circular disks 146, 147. The former is constructed of rubber and adapted to engage the seat formed by the collar 144 for the purpose of closing the opening 7. Projecting from the disk 147 is a valve stem 148 connected to a guide 149. The disks 146 and 147 are secured together and to the stem 148 by a hold-fast device 150. Bearing against the guide 149 and arranged within the housing 145 is a pressure controlling spring 151. Positioned against the spring 151 is a cupshaped member 152 engaged by an adjusting screw 153 for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring 151.

I The screw 153 threadedly engages with the closure plate 154 for the outer end of the housing 145. The storage or flash tank98 .is provided with a safety plug 155.

The providing of the valvular element of the pop-off valve device with a rubber disk, which engages the seat, prevents corroding of said disk after popping off, as well as providing for even seating of the valvular element against its seat,-and furthermore willprcvent leakage. The rubber disk also prevents sticking of the valvular elee generators, they are open to the objection that when once popped off in most instances they. will not hold any more, but when a holding function is obtained therefor, they will corrode and stick and it requires an excess of fifty pounds or more of pressure to break them loose, but by setting up the valvular element with a rubber disk the objections noted are overcome.

The disk 74 is what may be. termed a revolvable and vertically movable combined carbide support and supply cut-off element, and when. in open'position it receives the carbide from the supply. The rake arm 77 is what may be termed a feeding element for the carbide, as it acts to discharge the carbide from the disk 74 into the water. j

'lhe'switching mechanism is what may be ment against its'seat. In the ordinary pop- 01f valvular devices employed in acetylene termed a gas pressurev control means for U governing the operation of the. electricaldrive mechanism, because when the pressure 1 in the chamber exceeds a predetermined point, it acts on the. switching mechanism to discontinue the operation of the electrical drive and the shaft 53 to stop feed ofcarit is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat we claim is 1. An acetylene gas generator comprising a generating chamber adapted to contain a body of water, a calcium carbide feed mechanism, a combined gas washer and storage element communicating with said chamber, a mixer device operating in said chamber, said device and mechanism having coacting means to provide for the synchronous operation of said machanism with said device, an electrical drive mechanism for said device, and a pressure operated switching means communicating with .said element for controlling the operation of said drive mechanism.

2'. An acetylene gasgenerator comprising a generating chamber adapted to contain a body of water, a normally open calcium carbide supply arranged within said chamber, a revolvable and vertically movable combined carbide support and supply cut-off element normally in open position forreceiving carbide from said supply, a normally stationary rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom into the body of water, said arm vertically movable with said element, a revolvable mixer blade operating against the upper face of the bottom of said chamber, and means for synchronously revolving said blade and element when the latter is in open position.

3. An acetylene gas generator comprising a generating chamber adapted to contain a body of water, a normally open calcium carbide supply arranged within said chamber, a revolvable and vertically movable combined carbide support and supply cut-off element normally in open position for receiving carbide from said supply, a normally stationary rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom into the bodyof water, said arm ver tically movable with said element, a revolvable mixer blade operating against the upper face of the bottom of said chamber, means for synchronously revolving said blade and element when the latter is in open position, and a pressure operated switching device communicating with said chamber for controlling the operation of said means.

4-. An acetylene gas generator comprising a generating chamber, a mixer blade aranged therein, a shaft connected to said blade for revolving it, means arranged in said chamber to provide a carbide receptacle having an open bottom, a resilient annulus supported from the lower end said receptacle, a combined carbide support and cutoff element normally in open position for receiving carbide from said receptacle, a normally stationary rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom, said element and said shaft having coacting means for revolving the element when the latter is in its open position, and means for vertically shifting said element against said annulus to close said receptacle.

5. An acetylene gas generator comprising a generating chamber, a mixer blade arranged therein, a shaft connected to said blade for revolving it, means arranged in said chamber to provide a carbide receptacle having an open bottom, a resilient annulus supported from the lower end of said receptacle, a combined carbide support and cutolf element normally in open position for receiving carbide from said receptacle, a normally stationary-rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom, said element and said shaft having coacting means for revolving the element when the latter is in its open position, means for vertically shifting said element against said annulus to close said receptacle, and means for locking said element in closedposition.

6. In an acetylene gas generator, thecombination with a carbide supply receptacle having a normally open bottom and an annulus suspended from the lower portion thereof and of greater diameter than said open bottom, of a revolvable and vertically movable combined carbide support and sup.- ply clement normally in open position for receiving carbide from said supply, means for revolving said element when in normal position, a normally stationary rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom during the revolving of said element, said arm vertically movable with said element, and means for shifting said element from normal position to engage said annulus to close said open bottom.

7. In an acetylene gas generator, the combination with a carbide supply receptacle having a normally open bottom and an annulus suspended from the lower portion thereof andof greater diameter than said open bottom, of a revolvable and vertically movable combined carbide support and sup ply element normally in open position for receiving carbide from said supply, means for revolving said element when in normal position, a normally stationary rake arm coacting with said element for feeding the carbide therefrom during the revolving of said element, said arm vertically movable with said element, means for shifting said element from normal position to engage said annulus to close said open bottom, and means for locking said element when shifted to closure position with respect to said open bottom.

8. An acetylene gas generator comprising a generating chamber, a normally open carhide feeding mechanism arranged in the upmixer element, and a gas pressure controlled. per portion thereof, a mixing element W1thmechanlsm for sald operating means and in and operating on the bottom of said chamcommunicating with said chamber. 1 4

her, operating means common to said mixer In testimony whereof, e ai'fix our signa- 5 element and mechanism when the latter is tin-es hereto.

in open position, means for closing said HOWARD H. HAND.

mechanism during the operation of the r JOSIAH L. RIDDLE. 

